seat fittings for attaching seats to seat tracks in a vehicle and related systems and methods are described herein. An example seat fitting includes a body having a bottom surface to face a seat track, a locking stud, and a solenoid disposed in the body. The solenoid is operable to move the locking stud between a retracted position in which the locking stud is disposed in the body and an extended position in which the locking stud extends outward from the bottom surface of the body and into the seat track.
|
1. A seat fitting for attaching a seat to a seat track in a vehicle, the seat fitting comprising:
a body having a bottom surface to face the seat track;
a locking stud; and
a solenoid disposed in the body, the solenoid including a guide, the solenoid operable to move the locking stud between a retracted position in which the locking stud is disposed in the body and an extended position in which the locking stud extends outward from the bottom surface of the body and into the seat track, the guide to cause the locking stud to rotate about an axis of the locking stud while the solenoid moves the locking stud between the retracted position and the extended position.
14. A method comprising:
energizing a solenoid in a seat fitting coupled to a seat to release the seat fitting from a seat track in a vehicle, the seat fitting including a body having a bottom surface facing the seat track and a locking stud, the solenoid disposed in the body, wherein, when the solenoid is energized, the solenoid moves the locking stud from an extended position in which the locking stud extends outward from the bottom surface of the body and into the seat track to a retracted position in which the locking stud is disposed in the body, and wherein the solenoid includes a guide to cause the locking stud to rotate about an axis of the locking stud while the solenoid moves the locking stud between the retracted position and the extended position;
moving the seat from a first location to a second location while the solenoid is energized; and
de-energizing the solenoid to attach the seat fitting to the seat track while the seat is at the second location.
2. The seat fitting of
3. The seat fitting of
4. The seat fitting of
6. The seat fitting of
7. The seat fitting of
8. The seat fitting of
9. The seat fitting of
10. The seat fitting of
11. The seat fitting of
12. The seat fitting of
13. The seat fitting of
15. The method of
16. The method of
17. The method of
18. The method of
19. The method of
20. The method of
|
This disclosure relates generally to seat fittings, and, more particularly, to seat fittings for attaching seats to seat tracks in a vehicle and related systems and methods.
Modern vehicles, such as aircraft, buses, trains, subways, etc., often include rows of seats or benches. The seats or benches are connected to tracks disposed in the floor of the vehicle. The seats or benches can be disconnected from the seat tracks and rearranged depending on a desired spacing and/or configuration.
An example seat fitting for attaching a seat to a seat track in a vehicle is disclosed herein. The example seat fitting includes a body having a bottom surface to face a seat track, a locking stud, and a solenoid disposed in the body. The solenoid is operable to move the locking stud between a retracted position in which the locking stud is disposed in the body and an extended position in which the locking stud extends outward from the bottom surface of the body and into the seat track.
An example method disclosed herein includes energizing a solenoid in a seat fitting coupled to a seat to release the seat fitting from a seat track in a vehicle, moving the seat from a first location to a second location while the solenoid is energized, and de-energizing the solenoid to attach the seat fitting to the seat track while the seat is at the second location.
An example seat attachment system disclosed herein includes a seat fitting to be coupled to a seat. The seat fitting includes a body having a top surface and a bottom surface. A channel is defined between the top surface and a recess formed in the bottom surface. The seat fitting also includes a locking stud disposed in the recess. The locking stud is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The seat fitting further includes a plunger disposed in the channel and coupled to the locking stud. The plunger has an opening. The seat fitting also includes a pin that is insertable into the opening in the plunger to hold the locking stud in the extended position. The seat attachment system further includes a tool to remove the pin from the opening.
The figures are not to scale. Instead, the thickness of the layers or regions may be enlarged in the drawings. In general, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts.
Descriptors “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. are used herein when identifying multiple elements or components which may be referred to separately. Unless otherwise specified or understood based on their context of use, such descriptors are not intended to impute any meaning of priority, physical order or arrangement in a list, or ordering in time but are merely used as labels for referring to multiple elements or components separately for ease of understanding the disclosed examples. In some examples, the descriptor “first” may be used to refer to an element in the detailed description, while the same element may be referred to in a claim with a different descriptor such as “second” or “third.” In such instances, it should be understood that such descriptors are used merely for ease of referencing multiple elements or components.
Disclosed herein are example seat fittings for attaching a seat to a floor in a vehicle. The example seat fittings disclosed herein are easier and quicker to use for attaching and detaching the seat to/from the floor. As such, the examples disclosed herein reduce the amount of time needed to rearrange or reconfigure one or more seats in a vehicle.
Known vehicles, such as aircraft, buses, trains, etc., often include one or more rows of seats for passengers to sit in a cabin of the vehicle. Each seat is removably coupled to a pair of seat tracks in the floor of the cabin. The seat tracks extend lengthwise through the cabin of the vehicle. The seats can be detached from the seat tracks and rearranged or reconfigured. For example, the seats can be moved further apart or closer together. Further, one or more seats can be completely removed from the vehicle and/or one or more new seats can be added to the vehicle. It is often desired to rearrange the seats. For example, between flights on an aircraft, it may be desired to rearrange the seats to increase or decrease the spacing between the rows of seats.
In known seat attachment systems, each seat is coupled to the seat tracks via seat fittings. The seat fittings are coupled to the legs of the seat. Each seat fitting includes a movable locking stud and a plurality of fixed studs. To attach a seat to the seat tracks, a person (e.g., a vehicle crew member) places the seat fittings on the seat tracks such that the fixed studs are inserted into notches formed in the seat tracks. Then, for each seat fitting, the person screws a threaded shaft (e.g., a bolt) into a body of the seat fitting to deploy the locking stud, which locks the seat fitting (and, thus, the seat) to the seat track. The threaded shaft may be rotated via an Allen wrench or electric drill, for example. To detach the seat from the seat tracks, the person may unscrew the threaded shaft of each of the seat fittings. Then the seat can be removed from the seat tracks and/or moved to another location along the seat tracks.
This process of screwing the threaded shaft to deploy/retract the locking stud takes considerable time. Further, each seat may have four seat fittings. Thus, the person has to perform the same operation four times to attach/detach one seat to/from the seat tracks. This operation becomes even more time consuming if the vehicle has multiple seats. For example, some aircraft have tens or hundreds of seats. Therefore, it can take significant time for a person to rearrange the seats in the vehicle cabin.
Disclosed herein are example seat fittings that are easier and quicker to operate for attaching and detaching a seat to/from a seat track. An example mechanically actuated seat fitting disclosed herein includes a body and a locking stud that is movable relative to the body. The locking stud is movable between a retracted position in which the locking stud is disposed in a recess formed in a bottom surface of the body and an extended position in which the locking stud is moved outward from the bottom surface of the body. The example seat fitting includes a plunger disposed in a channel extending between a top surface of the body and the recess formed in the bottom surface of the body. The plunger is coupled to the locking stud. The plunger extends outward from the top surface of the body. To move the locking stud from the retracted position to the extended position, a vehicle operator can push down on the top of the plunger, which moves the locking stud outward from the body to the extended position. For example, the vehicle operator may step on the top of the plunger with his/her foot. Then, the vehicle operator may insert a pin into the plunger to lock the locking stud in the extended position, which locks the seat fitting to the seat track and, thus, locks the seat to the seat track.
To unlock the seat fitting from the seat track, the person can remove the pin, which enables the plunger to move the locking stud back to the retracted position (e.g., via biasing force from a spring). In some examples, a tool is used to insert and/or remove the pin. This process of pushing down on the plunger and/or inserting/removing the pin is relatively quick compared to the known process of screwing the threaded shaft. Thus, a person can more quickly and efficiently attach or detach the seat fitting(s) to/from the seat track. This also prevents or reduces the amount of time a person has to be crouched or bent over when operating the seat fittings.
Also disclosed herein are example electro-mechanically actuated seat fittings. An example electro-mechanically actuated seat fitting disclosed herein includes a solenoid disposed in a body of the seat fitting. The seat fitting also includes a locking stud coupled to the solenoid. The solenoid is operable to move the locking stud between a retracted position in which the locking stud is disposed in the body and an extended position in which the locking stud extends outward from the bottom surface of the body and into the seat track. In some examples, the solenoid moves the locking stud to the retracted position when the solenoid is energized, and the solenoid moves the mechanical locking stud (e.g., via biasing force from a spring) to the extended position when the solenoid is de-energized. Therefore, the seat fitting may be unlocked from the seat track by energizing the solenoid, and the seat fitting may be locked to the seat track by de-energizing the solenoid.
In some examples disclosed herein, the solenoids in the seat fittings are energized by attaching a tool to an interface on the seat. The tool may include a power source. When the tool is attached to the interface on the seat, the power source energizes the solenoids in the seat fittings, which unlocks the seat fittings from the seat tracks. Then, the seat can be moved to another location and/or completely removed from the cabin of the vehicle. When the seat is in a new desired location, the tool can be removed from the interface. When the tool is removed from the interface, the solenoids are de-energized, and the locking studs are deployed, which locks the seat fittings to the seat tracks and, thus, locks the seat to the seat tracks.
While the examples disclosed herein are described in connection with seats on an aircraft, it is understood that any of the examples disclosed herein can be similarly implemented in connection with other vehicles, such as a bus, a train, or a boat.
Now turning to the figures,
In the illustrated example, the seat 200 includes four legs, including a first leg 206, a second leg 208, a third leg 210, and a fourth leg 212. In the other examples, the seat 200 can include more or fewer legs. The seat attachment system 204 includes seat fittings for attaching the legs 206-212 to example first and second seat tracks 214, 216 disposed in the floor 202 of the cabin 112. In particular, in this example, the seat attachment system 204 includes a first seat fitting 218 coupled to the first leg 206, a second seat fitting 220 coupled to the second leg 208, a third seat fitting 222 coupled to the third leg 210, and a fourth seat fitting 224 coupled to the fourth leg 212. The first and third seat fittings 218, 222 couple the respective first and third legs 206, 210 to the first seat track 214, and the second and fourth seat fittings 220, 224 couple the respective second and fourth legs 208, 212 to the second seat track 216. The seat fittings 218-224 can be coupled (e.g., locked) to the first and second seat tracks 214, 216 to attach to the seat 200 to the floor 202, or decoupled (e.g., unlocked) from the first and second seat tracks 214, 216 to detach the seat 200 from the floor 202. For example, the seat 200 can be detached from the first and second seat tracks 214, 216 and moved to another location on the first and second seat tracks 214, 216 and re-attached to the first and second seat tracks 214, 216.
The first and second seat tracks 214, 216 may be flush with the floor 202 or recessed below the floor 202. In some examples, carpeting or other flooring material is disposed over the first and second seat tracks 214, 216 between the rows of seats. The first and second seat tracks 214, 216 may be relatively long (e.g., 30 feet), such that multiple rows of seats can be coupled to the first and second seat tracks 214, 216. For example, the first and second seat tracks 214, 216 may extend along a length of the fuselage 112 (
As shown in
In the illustrated example, the body 400 has a top side or surface 406 and a bottom side or surface 408. The bottom surface 408 is to face the first seat track 214 (
To slidably couple the first seat fitting 218 to the first seat track 214 (
To lock the first seat fitting 218 at a specific position along the first seat track 214 (
As shown in
In the illustrated example, the first seat fitting 218 includes a spring 606 disposed in the first channel 600. The spring 606 biases the plunger 602 out of the top surface 406 of the body 400 and, thus, biases the locking stud 416 to the retracted position. The example first seat fitting 218 also includes an example pin 608 shown in
To move the locking stud 416 from the retracted position to the extended position, a person may push down on the plunger 602. For example, a person may step on the top portion 604 of the plunger 602 with his/her foot. This moves the plunger 602 into the first channel 600, which moves the locking stud 416 outward from the bottom surface 408 of the body 400 to the extended position, as shown in
To release the first seat fitting 218 from the first seat track 214 (
As shown in
The tool 612 may be any tool used to insert the pin 608 and/or remove the pin 608. For example, the tool 612 may include an electromagnet. When the electromagnet is energized, the pin 608 is attracted to the electromagnet. The electromagnet can be de-energized to release the pin 608. As another example, the tool 612 may include a vacuum used to suction and hold the pin 608. The vacuum can be ceased to release the pin 608. As another example, the tool 612 may include a tip that can be actuated to grip the pin 608. The tip can also be de-actuated to release the pin 608. In some examples, the tool 612 is used to insert and retrieve the pin 608. In other examples, a person may insert the pin 608 without the tool 612. For example, a user may use his/her hands to insert the pin 608.
Therefore, in this example, the first seat fitting 218 does not require screwing a threaded shaft to extend or retract the locking stud as seen in known seat fittings. Instead, the example sequence of pushing on the plunger 602 and/or inserting/removing the pin 608 is relatively quick and simple compared to known seat fittings. As such, a user can quickly and efficiently attach or detach the seat 200 to/from the floor 202, which saves significant time and energy.
In the illustrated example, the seat 702 includes four legs, including a first leg 704, a second leg 706, a third leg 708, and a fourth leg 710. In other examples, the seat 702 can include more or fewer legs. The seat attachment system 700 includes seat fittings for attaching the legs 704-710 to example first and second seat tracks 712, 714 disposed in the floor 202 of the cabin 112. In particular, in this example, the seat attachment system 700 includes a first seat fitting 716 coupled to the first leg 704, a second seat fitting 718 coupled to the second leg 706, a third seat fitting 720 coupled to the third leg 708, and a fourth seat fitting 722 coupled to the fourth leg 710. The first and third seat fittings 716, 720 couple the respective first and third legs 704, 708 to the first seat track 712, and the second and fourth seat fittings 718, 722 couple the respective second and fourth legs 706, 710 to the second seat track 714. The seat fittings 716-722 can be coupled (e.g., locked) to the first and second seat tracks 712, 714 to attach to the seat 702 to the floor 202, or decoupled (e.g., unlocked) from the first and second seat tracks 712, 714 to detach the seat 702 from the floor 202. For example, the seat 702 can be detached from the first and second seat tracks 712, 714 and moved to another location on the first and second seat tracks 712, 714 and re-attached to the first and second seat tracks 712, 714.
The first and second seat tracks 712, 714 may be flush with the floor 202 or recessed below the floor 202. In some examples, carpeting or other flooring material is disposed over the first and second seat tracks 214, 216 between the rows of seats. The first and second seat tracks 712, 714 may be relatively long (e.g., 30 feet), such that multiple rows of seats can be coupled to the first and second seat tracks 712, 714. For example, the first and second seat tracks 712, 714 may extend along a length of the fuselage 112 (
In this example, the seat fittings 716-722 are electro-mechanically actuated. The seat fittings 716-722 can be operated (e.g., activated or de-activated) to connect or disconnect the seat 702 to/from the first and second seat tracks 712, 714. Each of the seat fittings 716-722 includes a solenoid, an example of which is shown in further detail in connection with
To energize the solenoids of the seat fittings 716-722, the example seat attachment system 700 includes a tool 724. The tool 724 can be carried and used by a person. In the illustrated example, the tool 724 includes a power source 726 and first and second terminals 728, 730 (e.g., electrical connectors, pins, or plugs). The power source 726 can be implemented by one or more batteries (e.g., an Alkaline battery, a lithium-ion battery, etc.). The seat attachment system 700 also includes an interface 732. In the illustrated example, the interface 732 is disposed on a side (e.g., the aisle side) of the seat 702. In other examples, the interface 732 can be disposed in other locations, such as on one of the seat fittings 716-722, on one of the legs 704-710, on an arm of the seat 702, etc. An enlarged view of the interface 732 is shown in the callout in
When the tool 724 is attached to the interface 732, the first and second terminals 728, 730 of the tool 724 mate or connect with the first and second terminals 734, 736 of the interface 732. The terminals 728, 730, 734, 736 may be male or female terminals, for example. The power source 726 then powers or energizes the solenoids in the seat fittings 716-722. In some examples, the power source 726 automatically energizes the solenoids when the tool 724 is connected to the interface 732. In other examples, the tool 724 may include a button or trigger that, when activated, provides power to the solenoids. Energizing the solenoids causes the seat fittings 716-722 to release from the first and second seat tracks 712, 714. Therefore, a person can connect the tool 724 to the interface 732 to detach the seat 702 from the floor 202 so that the person can move the seat 702 to another location or remove the seat 702 from the cabin 112.
In some examples, the tool 724 and/or the interface 732 may include one or more features to help ensure proper connection/alignment of the terminals 728, 730, 734, 736 and/or hold the tool 724 on the interface 732. For example, as shown in
In the illustrated example, the first seat fitting 716 includes a body 900. In some examples, the body 900 is constructed of metal, such as aluminum. In other examples, the body 900 can be constructed of other materials. The body 900 is to be coupled to the first leg 704 (
In the illustrated example, the body 900 has a bottom side or surface 906. The bottom surface 906 is to face the first seat track 712 (
To couple the first seat fitting 716 to the first seat track 712 (
The locking stud 908 is movable between a first position, referred to as a retracted position, and a second position, referred to as an extended position (which is the position shown in
When the locking stud 908 is in the retracted position, the locking stud 908 is retracted in the recess 910 such that the locking stud 908 does not extend into the first seat track 712 (
In the illustrated example, the solenoid 1000 is disposed in the body 900 of the first seat fitting 716. In particular, the solenoid 1000 is disposed in a cavity 1002 formed in the body 900. The solenoid 1000 includes a coil 1004 and a core 1006. When the coil 1004 is energized, the core 1006 attracts the locking stud 908 and moves the locking stud 908 upward in
In the illustrated example, the solenoid 1000 includes a biasing member, such as a spring 1008, to bias the locking stud 908 to the extended position when the solenoid 1000 is de-energized. In
To lock the first seat fitting 716 to the first seat track 712, the person removes the tool 724 (
At the end of the linear motion of the locking stud 908, the guide 1010 causes the locking stud 908 to rotate or spin, as shown in
If a user desires to detach the first seat fitting 716 from the first seat track 712, the user can attach the tool 724 (
In the illustrated example of
As shown in
In another example, the interface 1106 may include a switch that can be activated by a unique radio frequency identification (RFID) signal. A person may carry a tool that emits the RFID signal. When the tool is brought close to the interface 1106 or connected to the interface, the RFID signal activates the switch, which closes the circuit to energize the solenoids.
At block 1302, the example method 1300 includes energizing the solenoid 1000 in the first seat fitting 716 coupled to the seat 702 to release the seat 702 from the first seat track 714 in the aircraft 100. When the solenoid 1000 is energized, the solenoid 1000 moves the locking stud 908 from the extended position in which the locking stud 908 extends from the bottom surface 906 of the body 900 to the retracted position in which the locking stud 908 is disposed within the body 900. In some examples, as shown in
In some examples, the energizing of the solenoid 1000 includes coupling a tool to an interface on the seat 702 or the first seat fitting 716. In some examples, the tool includes a power source. For example, in the seat attachment system 700 of
At block 1304, the example method 1300 includes moving the seat 702 from a first location to a second location while the solenoid 1000 is energized (block 1304). For example, the seat 702 may be moved forward or backward to a new position on the first and second seat tracks 712, 714.
At block 1306, the example method 1300 includes de-energizing the solenoid 1000 to attach the first seat fitting 716 to the first seat track 714 while the seat 702 is at the second location (block 1306). In some examples, the de-energizing of the solenoid 1000 includes decoupling the tool from the interface. For example, in the seat attachment system 700 of
When the solenoid 1000 of the first seat fitting 716 is de-energized, the locking stud 908 moves from the retracted position to the extended position, as shown in
While in this example the solenoid 1000 remains energized while the seat 702 is moved to the second position, in other examples, after the seat 702 is detached from the first seat track 712, the solenoid 1000 can be de-energized. The solenoid 1000 can then be re-energized before placing the first seat fitting 716 on the first seat track 712 and attaching the first seat fitting 716 to the first seat track 712.
While in some examples disclosed herein the solenoids are energized to detach the seat fittings 716-722 from the first and second seat tracks 712, 714 and de-energized to attach the seat fittings 716-722 to the first and second seat tracks 712, 714, in other examples, the solenoids can be configured to operate in reverse. In particular, the solenoids can be de-energized to detach the seat fittings 716-722 from the first and second seat tracks 712, 714 and de-energized to attach the seat fittings 716-722 to the first and second seat tracks 712, 714. In such an example, a constant supply of power may be needed to keep the solenoids in energized. For example, a power source (e.g., one or more batteries) may connected to the seat 702. In other examples, power may be supply via the wiring harness 1104.
“Including” and “comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are used herein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any form of “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising, including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within a claim recitation of any kind, it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc. may be present without falling outside the scope of the corresponding claim or recitation. As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is used as the transition term in, for example, a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” and “including” are open ended. The term “and/or” when used, for example, in a form such as A, B, and/or C refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as (1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A with B, (5) A with C, (6) B with C, and (7) A with B and with C. As used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects and/or things, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects and/or things, the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B. As used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities and/or steps, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities and/or steps, the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B.
As used herein, singular references (e.g., “a”, “an”, “first”, “second”, etc.) do not exclude a plurality. The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more”, and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method actions may be implemented by, e.g., a single unit or processor. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different examples or claims, these may possibly be combined, and the inclusion in different examples or claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that example seat fittings, seat attachment systems, and methods disclosed herein can be used to easily and quickly attach/detach a seat to/from a floor in a vehicle. As a result, the examples disclosed herein enable rapid reconfiguration of seats, which saves time and expenses associated with changing a seating configuration. Some example seat fittings disclosed herein are also lighter and less expensive to manufacture. Further, some examples disclosed herein utilize specialized tools that reduce or prevent tampering of the seat fittings.
Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for attaching a seat to a floor in a vehicle are disclosed herein. Different aspects of the examples disclosed herein can be combined in other examples. Further examples and combinations thereof include the following clauses.
Claim 1 is a seat fitting for attaching a seat to a seat track in a vehicle. The seat fitting includes a body having a bottom surface to face the seat track, a locking stud, and a solenoid disposed in the body. The solenoid is operable to move the locking stud between a retracted position in which the locking stud is disposed in the body and an extended position in which the locking stud extends outward from the bottom surface of the body and into the seat track.
Clause 2 includes the seat fitting of Clause 1, wherein the locking stud is moved from the extended position to the retracted position when the solenoid is energized, and the locking stud is moved from the retracted position to the extended position when the solenoid is de-energized.
Clause 3 includes the seat fitting of Clause 2, wherein, when the solenoid is de-energized, the locking stud moves away from the bottom surface of the body and rotates about an axis of the locking stud.
Clause 4 includes the seat fitting of Clause 3, wherein, when the solenoid is energized, the locking stud rotates about the axis of the locking stud and moves toward the bottom surface of the body.
Clause 5 includes the seat fitting of Clause 3 or 4, wherein the solenoid rotates the locking stud about 90°.
Clause 6 includes the seat fitting of any of Clauses 1-5, wherein the locking stud has a stem and an arm coupled to a distal end of the stem, the arm extending transverse to the stem.
Clause 7 includes the seat fitting of Clause 6, wherein, when the locking stud is in the retracted position, the arm is orientated parallel to a longitudinal axis of the seat track, and when the locking stud is in the extended position, the arm is orientated transverse to the longitudinal axis of the seat track.
Clause 8 includes the seat fitting of any of Clauses 1-7, wherein the solenoid includes a spring to bias the locking stud to the extended position when the solenoid is de-energized.
Clause 9 includes the seat fitting of any of Clauses 1-8, wherein, when the locking stud is in the retracted position, a bottom surface of the locking stud does not extend beyond the bottom surface of the body.
Clause 10 is a method including energizing a solenoid in a seat fitting coupled to a seat to release the seat fitting from a seat track in a vehicle, moving the seat from a first location to a second location while the solenoid is energized, and de-energizing the solenoid to attach the seat fitting to the seat track while the seat is at the second location.
Clause 11 includes the method of Clause 10, wherein the energizing of the solenoid includes coupling a tool to an interface on the seat or the seat fitting.
Clause 12 includes the method of Clause 11, wherein the de-energizing of the solenoid includes decoupling the tool from the interface.
Clause 13 includes the method of Clause 12, wherein the tool includes a power source to energize the solenoid when the tool is coupled to the interface.
Clause 14 includes the method of any of Clauses 10-13, wherein, when the solenoid is energized, the solenoid moves a locking stud from an extended position in which the locking stud extends from a bottom surface of a body of the seat fitting to a retracted position in which the locking stud is disposed within the body of the seat fitting.
Clause 15 includes the method of Clause 14, wherein, when the solenoid is de-energized, the solenoid moves the locking stud from the retracted position to the extended position.
Clause 16 includes the method of Clause 15, wherein the solenoid includes a spring to move the locking stud from the retracted position to the extended position.
Clause 17 is a seat attachment system including a seat fitting to be coupled to a seat. The seat fitting includes a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, a channel defined between the top surface and a recess formed in the bottom surface, a locking stud disposed in the recess, the locking stud movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a plunger disposed in the channel and coupled to the locking stud, the plunger having an opening, and a pin insertable into the opening in the plunger to hold the locking stud in the extended position. The seat attachment system also includes a tool to remove the pin from the opening.
Clause 18 includes the seat attachment system of Clause 17, wherein the seat fitting includes a spring to bias the plunger out of the top surface of the body.
Clause 19 includes the seat attachment system of Clauses 17 or 18, wherein, when the locking stud is in the retracted position, a bottom surface of the locking stud is flush with the bottom surface of the body.
Clause 20 includes the seat attachment system of any of Clauses 17-19, wherein, when the pin is inserted into the opening, the pin does not extend beyond an outer surface of the body.
Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the claims of this patent.
The following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure.
Sjostrom, Brett D., LaSalle, Kenneth M., Cantos, Jose A.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10046847, | Jun 23 2014 | Greenpoint Technologies, Inc. | Aircraft interior flooring systems |
10179651, | Mar 14 2016 | Airbus Defence and Space GmbH | Seat fastening device |
10259585, | Jan 23 2014 | Bishop GmbH | Aircraft seat fitting |
10807501, | Sep 27 2017 | Airbus Operations GmbH | Passenger seat system for a means of transport |
11040638, | May 04 2018 | Lear Corporation | Track assembly |
2805701, | |||
2835226, | |||
3652050, | |||
4771969, | Jul 27 1987 | Sabre Industries, Inc. | Leg set track fitting |
4776533, | Mar 20 1987 | Burns Aerospace Corporation | Aircraft seat track fitting assembly |
4796837, | Jul 27 1987 | Adams Rite Sabre International | Leg seat track fitting with improved bearing member |
5083726, | May 10 1989 | Adams Rite Sabre International | Seat track bearing for an airplane |
5433550, | May 18 1992 | Telair International GmbH | Connecting device for quickly and releasably interconnecting two bodies |
6186477, | May 05 1999 | CAIRE INC | Gas by-pass valve |
6260813, | Jan 10 2000 | November Whiskey, Inc. | Aircraft seat track anchor fitting |
6601798, | Jun 26 2001 | The Boeing Company; Boeing Company, the | Seat track mounted passenger interface |
7021596, | Feb 11 2004 | AMI Industries, Inc | Aircraft seat floor track quick release fitting |
7029215, | Feb 13 2004 | BE Aerospace, Inc. | Dual track fitting |
7334758, | Oct 06 2003 | B E AEROSPACE, INC | Attachment assembly for mounting a seat to the floor of a vehicle |
7455276, | Sep 10 2003 | RECARO AIRCRAFT SEATING GMBH CO KG | Seat securing system |
7506855, | Mar 29 2004 | The Boeing Company; Boeing Company, the | Non-protruding seat track apparatus |
7837145, | Jul 15 2005 | RECARO AIRCRAFT SEATING GMBH CO KG | Seat fastening device |
7975979, | Jul 27 2007 | Bishop GmbH | Airplane seat track |
8074954, | Jan 30 2007 | Airbus Operations GmbH | Rail for positioning and locking of elements, and a corresponding fitting |
8292224, | Jan 15 2009 | TIMCO AVIATION SERVICES, INC | Quick install aircraft track fitting device |
8371781, | Jun 23 2009 | Safran Seats USA LLC | Seat track fitting |
8474756, | Oct 14 2008 | AIRBUS OPERATIONS S A S | System for fixing |
8528860, | Oct 22 2008 | BE Aerospace, Inc. | Tool-less track fastener |
8602702, | Jun 23 2009 | Safran Seats USA LLC | Seat track fitting |
8608125, | Dec 21 2006 | The Boeing Company | Seat track assembly |
9567086, | Sep 17 2014 | The Boeing Company | Systems and methods for securing seats within a vehicle cabin |
9663232, | Apr 15 2016 | AMI Industries, Inc. | Aircraft seat assembly having a quick change preloading track lock assembly |
20050173608, | |||
20070122254, | |||
20100026283, | |||
20100108808, | |||
20210061134, | |||
20210155127, | |||
EP922632, | |||
WO2005108149, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Jan 16 2020 | CANTOS, JOSE A | The Boeing Company | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 051549 | /0731 | |
Jan 16 2020 | SJOSTROM, BRETT D | The Boeing Company | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 051549 | /0731 | |
Jan 16 2020 | LASALLE, KENNETH M | The Boeing Company | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 051549 | /0731 | |
Jan 17 2020 | The Boeing Company | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Jan 17 2020 | BIG: Entity status set to Undiscounted (note the period is included in the code). |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Feb 21 2026 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Aug 21 2026 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Feb 21 2027 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Feb 21 2029 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Feb 21 2030 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Aug 21 2030 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Feb 21 2031 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Feb 21 2033 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Feb 21 2034 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Aug 21 2034 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Feb 21 2035 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Feb 21 2037 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |